Luis Suárez made light of the constant jeers to emerge from Old Trafford with two assists and three points on Thursday evening as Uruguay eventually imposed themselves on UAE. This may be the London Olympics but familiar North-western club tribalism shook those famous rings.

Most fans present were here to support Team GB against Senegal later on but they created an occasionally noisy atmosphere, certainly reminding Liverpool's Suárez that he has few friends at Old Trafford.

Uruguay's captain was influential, leading the line determinedly while Edinson Cavani scavenged to the right. Suárez played a part in both of his team's goals, for Gaston Ramirez's free-kick and then for his old Ajax team-mate, Nicolas Lodeiro.

It took time for Suárez and company to impose themselves on UAE, who were neat, technical and enterprising. Their No 15, Omer Abdulrahman, particularly impressed with his clever passing. They caused Uruguay constant problems particularly in the first half, scored a good goal through Ismaeil Matar, and received a standing ovation at the final whistle.

They know they had scared Uruguay. German Rolin, the Nacional centre-half, was soon cautioned for body-checking Ahmed Khalil as UAE attempted another sinewy break. When Abdulaziz Hussain block-tackled Sebastián Coates, the Liverpool defender writhed around briefly before jumping up to remonstrate.

The crowd, predominantly pro-UAE, responded critically yet their disdain swiftly turned to delight when UAE scored a terrific breakaway. The move was begun brilliantly by Omar Abdulrahman, who threaded the ball perfectly between Uruguay's centre-halves for Matar to run on to.

His path towards goal was partly smoothed by the hesitancy of Uruguay's keeper, Martin Campana, whose eventual arrival failed to perturb Matar. The UAE No 10 calmly placed the ball past two despairing Uruguayan lunges into the net. As the UAE players all knelt in prayer, Rolin cast a quizzical look at Campana.

Yet UAE were well worth the lead. Good skills from Rashed Eisa and Omar Abdulrahman had already entertained the support and alarmed Uruguay's defence. So it was against the run of play when Uruguay equalised just before the break. Suárez was involved, making one of those trademark darting runs, exchanging passes before being brought down by Amer Abdulrahman.

Slightly to right of centre, the position was set up for Ramirez's left foot, and the Bologna midfielder curled a superb free-kick over the wall and past Ali Khaseif. Ramirez wheeled away, pointing to the heavens before being engulfed by his team-mates relieved at being able to turn around on level terms.

Uruguay were livelier after the break, Egidio Arevalo forcing Khaseif into a superb right-hand tip-over save. Uruguay, building far more assertively, took the lead just before the hour-mark. Suárez's little burst in from the left created an opportunity for Lodeiro, whose left-footed shot flew across Khaseif and in.

There was still time for a pantomime-villain ending, some pushing and remonstrating involving Suárez, who received more boos but he got what he came for: the points.